The Intelligence Requirements of Psychological Operations in Counterterrorism
Abstract
Terrorism is not a new phenomenon to the world, yet it remains difficult to define and to counter. Countering terrorism requires several measures that must be implemented at the same time. The counterterrorism strategies used by most countries are military in nature. However, counterterrorism strategies should also be economic, political, and social in nature. This study suggests that psychological operations can be used to counter terrorism by influencing individuals not to join terrorist organizations and by facilitating defections from terrorist organizations. This thesis examines terrorists' motivations; ideology; goals and strategies; the radicalization process; the recruitment process; the use of the internet in radicalization and recruitment; influence theories, including Cialdini's six principles; Pratkanis's social influence analysis; the importance of psychological operations; the levels of psychological operations; the chronological operations process; psychological operations in counterterrorism; and intelligence in psychological operations, including target audience analysis, theme and product development, and product dissemination. The final section of the thesis presents an analysis of al-Qaeda, including the organization's ideology, its goals and strategies, motivations, recruitment and radicalization processes, organizational structure, and leadership.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA493925
Entities
People
- Mehmet F. Dortbudak
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School